Discreet police probe reveals untouchability

MADURAI: A discreet police probe revealed that various forms of untouchability was still being practised in Malaipatti, a village coming under Usilampatti Town Panchayat. This has resulted in the District Rural Police officials issuing stringent warning to the members of the Caste Hindus in the village. According to a top police official, they received information that Dalits living in villages were undergoing caste based discrimination in various forms. Two-tumbler system was being practised at the tea shops and Dalits were prohibited from riding twowheelers in some streets. They were also not allowed to wear slippers in certain areas where caste Hindus lived.Also, the Dalits were not allowed to cover their head with towels while crossing some of the streets in the village. Superintendent of Police, Asra Garg ordered a discreet investigation which confirmed the prevalence of such practices. Subsequently, the SP ordered police officials, including A Mayilvahanan, Additional Superintendent of Police and Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, to sensitise the dominant caste on this issue. The officials along with Usilampatti Revenue Divisional Officer Pugalendhi conducted a meeting with the dominant caste on Friday evening. Certain guidelines were issued highlighting the fact that untouchability was against the law and the Indian Constitution. Stringent warnings were also issued to the dominant caste if they failed to comply with the law in this regard.